Tucked away on a rocky ridge is a Finnish gem. You have a hint that Retretti is something special when the slow train to Savonlinna pauses there. This is a minor single track railway, and the unstaffed station at Retretti is as small as they come. On the platform stands an oversized sculpture, an apt » Read more

Over the past few days we relaunched our blog and gave it a major, much-needed overhaul. We added all sorts of things that didn’t exist previously to make it more navigable, social, and – we hope – easier to use. But sort of like moving out of your first cramped apartment with no windows and » Read more

It was only by a stroke of luck that the Eiffel Tower ended up in Paris. Gustave Eiffel designed the landmark tower for Barcelona. But the civic authorities had doubts about the appropriateness of such a tower for the Catalan city. Undaunted by the setback, Eiffel had better luck with Paris and, despite some opposition » Read more

In grand ole Oprah style, I’ve decided to round out 2009 with another contest give-away. Plus, I’ll doff my “bachi” (French sailor hat) to a few of my favorite things in Paris! Be the first Cheapo to correctly answer the New Wave film-related questions below, and we’ll give you a handsome catalog from the exposition, » Read more

Why is this man so happy and smiling at the camera? Is he: A.) Just glad it’s a nice, sun-shiney day in New York B.) Amazed that the windows in EuroCheapo’s office haven’t been cleaned in 2 years C.) Delighted to be the most recent “EuroCheapo Insider” D.) All of the above. If you answered » Read more

Photograph by Kaymaria Daskarolis Last week (March 14 – March 18) Athens hosted the fifth annual Hellenic Fashion Week, held in the famous and beautiful Zappeion Hall in the midst of the National Gardens. Over the course of the four days, the fashions of 42 different designers were presented in a sophisticated yet playful manner » Read more

We love functionality and we love all things colorful, so when we find functional items in fancy color palettes we do a little dance of joy. Here are a few things making us dance this afternoon: 1. In addition to being practical and lovely, the Pure Nomad Hotel Box confirms yet again the triumphant state » Read more

London Fashion Week was soggy, very soggy. But it was worth it, if just for the sight of famed drag queen Jodie Harsh in the front row at Gareth Pugh. We thought we’d bring you the abridged version of our take on LFW. Trends for Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter 2007: Black (or gray) opaque tights worn » Read more